Jana,
I'm sorry I'm just now replying. I feel like I've been through h#%l and back the last couple of weeks.
What state is this that you live in? I can't believe that the Veterinary Medical Board there has no requirements for a licensed tech of some sort. You mentioned that there are laws for the credentialed ones so I wonder?
I live in Texas. Click the link for the TBVME and read the code for non-licensed staff.
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=24&ch=573&rl=10As far as my job, I resigned on February 5 and they hired a tech on Feb. 6 so that was my last day. The straw that broke the camels back was when, on the Thursday before, I finally was able to speak with the manager. He told me that the doc owned the practice and could change any policy whenever he wanted, for whomever he wanted and it was "nobodies d#% n business". The doc or the manager never would address the issue of the doc talking behind my back. They certainly didn't deny it but basically, their philosophy is, the doc doesn't have to follow his own policies and he has no accountability for his actions or speech. I told them it created a hostile work environment and I wasn't going to work in that kind of environment. The doc and manager always preached “fair and equal” for employees. I have yet to see where that comes into play with their business philosophy mentioned above. Also, I was tired of having to push the doc and battle him just to do my basic tech responsibilities. The manager told me I lacked initiative and led me to believe that the doc wasn’t happy with me but the doc told me on my last day that wasn't true and that the manager told him it was he (the manager) and I that weren’t getting along. I don't know who to believe. When I was leaving that day, the manager said he wanted to find a tech that will really push the doc. I told him I hoped that he could, for the sake of the practice. I tried pushing him when I first came to work there because the doc said that's what he needed (I worked there 5 months before the manager came). Then, the doc seemed to become resentful and withdrew. But I'm not his mama, wife, or babysitter. I shouldn't have to push the doc and fight to do my job everyday. That’s insane.
The manager and his wife felt the same way on some things because they had complained to me (“off the record”), were frustrated and, at times, wanted to quit. But when push came to shove they backed down. I thought the manager would stand up for what's right but he protected the doc and I was out there on my own. I didn’t tell the doc or his wife things that were said to me in confidence by the manager and his wife, although I probably should have. However, I won’t betray their confidence regardless of how they treat me. Besides, it would make little difference in the situation. The doc and his wife would believe them over me anyway. They didn't even think enough of me to talk with me in the first place.
Also, I got reprimanded by the manager for not speaking to the other tech (who is the doc's pet). However, for months I had spoken to her first and I was tired of always being the one to speak first. She would walk right passed me and not say anything unless I spoke first. I asked the manager to tell her to speak to me first sometimes, as well, and he said no (I suppose that's how their "fair and equal" works
). In addition, the doc backpedaled on being my preceptor for my DEVTP. He said he didn’t have time. I had to drop the class I was in this semester. I'm extremely disappointed in the doc and the whole situation.
We never had any OSHA training, there’s no emergency lighting, fire escape plans, etc. While I was there, there was barely any entry training or on-going training for staff members except for a couple of lunches with drug reps. Any suggestions I made were, for the most part, ignored. I gave the manager a printed list of ideas and different things (including OSHA training for employees) that I was interested in helping implement and coordinate to improve the practice. I never got a direct response to any of it. I got an obligatory “thank you” but that’s it. The doc seems to prefer to hire people with no veterinary background (including the manager). They don't know it can be better because they've never worked in any other vet practice. Previous to this practice, I had worked in 4 different practices with 9 vets collectively and not one of them did I ever have to battle daily just to do my basic tech responsibilities. The docs were always happy to turn over to me what I was qualified to do and what was legal for me to do. The Saturday before I turned in my resignation, I had both exam rooms prepped for the doc to go in and instead he insisted on "helping" me give SQ fluids to a renal cat patient and remove bandages from a declaw. Of course we started off the morning behind schedule. Later that morning, I was at the computer invoicing a client and filling rx's (like we're suppose to do per the manager to save time and keep the doc from giving so many discounts) and the doc had me get up from the computer telling me he would type the rx labels. Apparently, he has to have it worded exactly his way, even if what someone else puts on the label means the same thing. Can we say "micromanaging"?
I don't think he realizes his behavior at all. However, he should have enough respect for each staff member and position to let his staff help and support him. That's why docs have a staff. They can't and aren't supposed to do it all. By the way, the doc went through about 5 techs before me and he had only had the practice for 13 months.
There was also backstabbing going on. I felt as if I were back in junior high or high school. Things I said (I never spoke to anyone but the manager and his wife) got twisted and the original intent was lost by the time it got to someone else (mainly to the doc, the manager, and/or the doc’s wife). We were not allowed to speak to the doc about anything unless it was medically related (he can't deal with any kind of confrontation or disagreement so he was sheltered by the manager). However, when I realized they had hired someone else and I realized it was my last day (what could they do-fire me?!
), I did mention to the doc I was disappointed that neither he nor his wife valued or respected me enough to talk with me and here my opinion on matters. He just stared at me like a deer in the headlights
but I received no response. From a few things the doc did tell me that last day that the manager said to him, it was a different story than I was getting from the manager. Instead of asking me, they believed anything the manager or any other staff member said about me. I busted my a## and jumped through hoops trying to please the manager and the doc and to do my part to make it a great practice but it got me nowhere. I do miss some of the clients. I had been told that some were asking about me when I was off. I had really had a passion for that practice and had been excited to be there. After awhile, the passion faded. I kept trying but it was like beating my head against a wall everyday. Although giving up goes against my nature, it was just time to throw in the towel on this one. I didn't realize what a cancer the job was until I was out of it. I do not miss going to work there at all. I know I'm a good tech and I deserve better and I’ve worked in better situations. No job or employer is perfect but it can be better than all that. In all the other four practices put together, I didn't have this bad of stuff to deal with. This was a first.
I do wish all of them well. I'm not angry and I don’t have any ill will toward them, just hurt and disappointment, but this too shall heal and pass
. I want the doc's practice to flourish and grow. In spite of the crazy business philosophy, he is a sweet and compassionate man. He has a lovely wife and family. It is my hope and prayer that they find a tech(s) that can push him to change. I'm just not the tech to do that. It just isn't worth the battle for me because I know how much better it can be. I told them that I still wanted to bring my 4 dogs to him and I do because he is a good doc and he is good to his clients, I just can’t work there all the time. Before I worked for him, he had been my vet several years at another practice before opening up his own. Personally, I like the doc and his wife, the manager and his wife, who is the receptionist. However, I just don't believe in doing business the way they do.
I am taking some time off and when I do look again to apply for a job, I am most likely going to look for an AAHA hospital. I was told by a person at the community college that has the DEVTP that it’s easier to find a doc that will proctor a DEVTP student at an AAHA hospital. They recommended that I go with an AAHA hospital.
I’m not claiming to be the perfect employee or vet tech by any stretch of the imagination. I am far from perfect. I made some mistakes and when I did I was more than willing to tell the truth and take responsibility for my speech and/or actions. Too bad it wasn’t reciprocating. I definitely learned a lot from this experience. I hope they learned some things, too. Things happen for a reason and God has never left me alone and destitute. I do have a supportive husband, family, and group of friends surrounding me and I have Vet Tech Stories. Thanks for listening and allowing me to unburden myself.
Warm regards,
supervettech
P.S. Although I am currently unemployed in the field, I will still be lurking around the vet tech sites. I want to stay in touch with the profession.
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